Does This Suit Make Me Look Old?

I was recently asked on Quora about age discrimination -- or, rather, how to prepare for an interview in which I am sure I will be discriminated against because of my age.  Age discrimination exists.  It is illegal and bad business.  But it's also hard to prove.  And sometimes, it's not really what's going on.

So I wrote:

Age discrimination exists.  

That said, if you are not getting the job EVERY time, it becomes less and less likely that your physical age is the deciding factor in EVERY situation.    There are definitely some people that discriminate, but it's unlikely that EVERYONE does so in the way you suspect.  So it's possible that's not the only (or even the most significant) factor.  And even if it is, you may not be able to tackle it head on.  So focus on other factors.

So what might the other factors be?  There are a lot of possibilities.  While I know in your estimation your skills and experience make you very qualified for the jobs you interview for -- and certainly the fact you are getting in-person interviews suggest you look good on paper, and have made a good impression on the phone, which supports your contention -- let's not cross anything off the list, yet.

For example, perhaps your skills and experience are excellent -- but in person you don't successfully communicate them.  Or when interviewers dig into the details, they learn that instead of leading key projects on your resume, you were a member of a much larger team (for example) and what they need is someone who has led those teams, not been an individual contributor.

But let's not guess!  You can ask.  I explain in more detail, here:  Why didn't you get that job? but in short:  Leave time during the second half of the interview to ask whether there are any doubts, concerns, unanswered questions, etc.  In a polite way you are already asking what might be a factor in you not getting the job (if you don't get it) or what makes you stand out as the best candidate (if you do).  Make it clear that you are setting your ego aside, and don't get defensive.  Acknowledge any gaps that are real, and explain away any gaps that don't really exist.

This may not help you prepare for THIS interview, which I know is your question.  But this will help you prepare for the NEXT interview (in the unfortunate circumstance that you don't get this job).